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I had the joy of dealing with a failing jabsco macerator this last weekend.

I wish I could get the addresses of the guys who designed it, so I could send it back to them in all it's stinking foul glory.

The thing is held together by 4 screws that corrode... not sure if it's the salt, or electrolysis, but when they fail it comes apart and you get black water in the bilge.

I had to cut it out and jam a plug in the hose, while 1 1/2 inches of nastyness flowed into the bilge. (either get it over with all at once or let it slowly drain!)

I used the thru-hull as a sweetening ****... flooding the bilge and then pumping it out... until it was clean.

I'm still suffering from post-traumatic stress from the whole incident. I ordered a shurflo macerator today... but I'm not sure if I'll be able to face the horror of replacing those hoses (might as well while I'm in there) and installing the new macerator.

If you have a jabsco macerator on your boat... it's just a matter of time until it fails. It will probably be on a major holiday weekend or your birthday weekend (or both as in my case)

I have never had the slightest problem with my home built composting head and the whole system cost me less than you paid for the macerator.
Just sayin.

06-02-2011 11:07 AM

mitiempo

That has been the law in Avalon Harbor, Catalina for some years. Strictly enforced. California

06-02-2011 09:07 AM

erps

Quote:

I've always wondered if dye marking the black water tank would become a trend or requirement. I've never seen it done, but have heard many. Is this becoming more common?

I can see that consenting to some dye to use a private mooring ball or dock might be a condition for use, but I have a hard time with the notion that a person would have to consent to dye put in their tank just to anchor in a bay.

.......I discovered mine on a Sunday morning in Avalon after a 4 day stay. Looked in the bilge and found the flourescent green dye they put in your tank on arrival. .......

I've always wondered if dye marking the black water tank would become a trend or requirement. I've never seen it done, but have heard many. Is this becoming more common?

I just recently dug deep enough under the Solon to even see where the macerator is located. It would be a bear to replace and it is one thing that I do not carry a spare. We're leaving next week for a cruise to Maine. Hope you didnt jinx us.

However, the discharge tube from the holding tank comes out the top with a fill tube to the bottom. Therefore, gravity can't dump it into the bilge. Nevertheless, a leak would be bad.

06-02-2011 05:59 AM

MARC2012

When I went through that not certain which lingered longer the PTSD or the real or imaginary odor in the bilge.marc

06-02-2011 04:20 AM

Mariner777

Yes marine sanitation (esp repair) has to be one of the worst parts of living aboard. I second the foolproof cedar bucket recommendation especially while underway at sea where it won't affect your neighbors... Porta potties can also be great alternatives to holding tank/ sewage repairs. I have all three systems on my boat.

06-01-2011 10:22 PM

n0w0rries

ugh... just reading this post makes me shudder and gag a little.

06-01-2011 03:31 PM

arf145

Actually, this is one of the advantages of composting toilets--you will never be threatened by or messing with liquid black waste.